SRINAGAR: Weather was dry in Jammu and Kashmir during the last 24 hours as the MeT office said on Thursday that dry weather with partly cloudy sky is likely to continue.
“Dry, partly cloudy weather is likely in J&K during the next 24 hours,” an official of the Meteorological (MeT) department said.
Srinagar had 1.3, Pahalgam minus 1.9 and Gulmarg minus 2 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
In Ladakh region, Drass town had minus 10.9, Kargil minus 10.8 and Leh minus 7 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 11.2, Katra 12, Batote 8.2, Banihal 4 and Bhaderwah 4.6 as the minimum temperature.
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday claimed to have killed a infiltator in Saidpora area along Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
In a tweet police said during the preceding night, based on a specific input generated by Kupwara police, a joint team of Army and Police intercepted an infiltrating group in Saidpora forward area.
During the preceding night, based on a specific input generated by #Kupwara police, joint team of Army & #Police intercepted an infiltrating group in Saidpora forward area. The joint team has #neutralised one #infiltrator. Search is still going on. Further details shall follow.
Gene editing is a controversial topic. Unless governments work together with scientists to regulate its use, it could become another technology that benefits only the wealthiest people.
Three different strands of DNA
It is the most exciting time in genetics since the discovery of DNA in 1953. This is mainly due to scientific breakthroughs including the ability to change DNA through a process called gene editing.
The potential for this technology is astonishing – from treating genetic diseases, modifying food crops to withstanding pesticides or changes in our climate, or even bringing the dodo “back to life”, as one company claims it hopes to do.
We will only be hearing more about gene editing in the future. So if you want to make sure you understand new updates, you first need to get to grips with what gene editing actually is.
Our DNA is made of four key molecules called bases (A, T, C and G). Sequences of these four bases are grouped into genes. These genes act as the “code” for key substances the body should make, such as proteins. Proteins are important molecules, vital for maintaining a healthy and functional human being.
Genes can be short, typically made of less than a hundred bases. A good example includes ribosomal genes, which code for different ribosomes, molecules which help create new proteins.
Long genes are made up of millions of bases. For example, the DMD gene codes for a protein called dystrophin, which supports the structure and strength of muscle cells. DMD has over 2.2 million bases.
How does gene editing work?
Gene editing is a technology that can change DNA sequences at one or more points in the strand. Scientists can remove or change a single base or insert a new gene altogether. Gene editing can literally rewrite DNA.
There are different ways to edit genes, but the most popular technique uses a technology called CRISPR-Cas9, first documented in a pioneering paper published in 2012. Cas9 is an enzyme that acts like a pair of scissors that can cut DNA.
It is assisted by a strand of RNA (a molecule similar to DNA, in this case, created by the scientist), which guides the Cas9 enzyme to the part of the DNA that the scientist wants to change and binds it to the target gene.
Depending upon what the scientist wants to achieve, they can just remove a segment of the DNA, introduce a single base change (for example changing an A to a G), or insert a larger sequence (such as a new gene). Once the scientist is finished, the natural DNA repair processes take over and glue the cuts back together.
What could gene editing do?
The benefits of gene editing to humanity could be significant. For example, making a single base change in people’s DNA could be a future treatment for sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disease. People with this disease have just one base that has mutated (from A to T). This makes the gene easier to edit compared with more complex genetic conditions such as heart disease or schizophrenia.
Scientists are also developing new techniques to insert larger segments of bases into the DNA of crops in the hope they can create drought-resilient crops and help us adapt to climate change.
Why is gene editing controversial?
Gene editing is a controversial topic. Unless governments work together with scientists to regulate its use, it could become another technology that benefits only the wealthiest people.
And it comes with risk.
The first case of illegal implantation of a genetically edited embryo was reported in 2019 in China and led to the imprisonment of three scientists. The scientists had attempted to protect twin fetuses from HIV being passed on by their father.
But when other scientists read passages from an unpublished paper written by the DNA experiment lead about the twins, they feared that instead of introducing immunity, the researchers probably created mutations whose consequences are still unknown.
The risks of developing designer babies are so high it is unlikely that it will become legal anytime soon. A tiny mistake could destroy the health of a baby or lead to other diseases throughout their lifetime, such as an increased risk of cancer.
Laws and regulations surrounding this technology are strict. Most countries prohibit the implantation of a human embryo that has been genetically altered in any way. However, as the 2019 example shows, laws can be broken.
Gene editing has its advantages. It holds the potential to cure genetic diseases and create crops resistant to drought. But scientists need to work closely with law and policymakers to ensure the technology can be used for the benefit of mankind while minimising the risks.
The fact a private company recently announced plans to try to bring back the dodo shows how important it is that international gene-editing laws keep up with the ambitions of corporations.
(The author is Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.)
SRINAGAR: Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, an amalgam of trade unions, social, political and religious groups from Ladakh held protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The protest was meant to press for their four demands including full statehood, sixth schedule under Indian Constitution, job reservation, a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh, and two parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.
“It has been four years and we cannot see any development happening in Ladakh even as we were promised development when the UT was made,” the protestors was quoted as saying by reports.
They said government’s ignorance towards the Ladakh forced them to reach the national capital as the development and safeguards and reservation for locals they expected didn’t come so far.
“We are concerned about our cultural identity, political representation as well as job security. LG and a few other bureaucrats can’t decide our future,” they said.
A protester said that they are disheartened witnessing young people not being able to gets jobs.
“The government has supposedly promised twelve thousand roles, but these are merely on paper. Over the last three years since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the government has not been able to develop a plan for Ladakh,” he stated.
On January 26, Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based engineer turned innovator had announced a five-day long hunger strike at 18,380 feet high Khardung to invite attention of the BJP-led Centre to the demands of the people of Ladakh, including extension of sixth schedule of the Constitution and environmental protection form unchecked industrial and commercial expansion.
The Apex and Kargil Alliance objected to the composition of the High Powered Committee announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and headed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanad Rai to discuss safeguards for the Union Territory of Ladakh. They demanded their four points to be included in the agenda of the committee.
SRINAGAR: Noting the remarkable progress made over the last 2.5 years, the World Bank has extended the deadline for completion of its Rs 1500 crore project in Jammu & Kashmir by one more year, but made it clear to the Central Government and J&K authorities that any works not completed by December 31, 2023 would need to be completed with the government’s own resources.
In a letter to Union Finance Ministry and J&K administration, a copy of which has been accessed by news agency KNO, the World Bank has accepted the Union Finance Ministry’s request to extend the deadline of the project to December 31, 2023.
“We also refer to the letter from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance F.No. 05/06/2014-FB.VIII/V dated December 19, 2022, requesting the Association to extend the Closing Date of the Credit by 12 months. We are pleased to inform you that the Association concurs with the request and has established December 31, 2023, as the later date for purposes of Section IV.B.2 of Schedule 2 to the Financing Agreement,” reads the letter written by WB’s Hideki Mori, Acting Country Director, India to Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary (MBC), Department of Economic Affairs Ministry of Finance and Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K.
But the WB has made it clear to them that any works of the project not completed by the closing date of December 31, 2023, including for L.D. Hospital, Srinagar, would need to be completed with the government’s own resource.
After the 2014 floods, the Jehlum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) was approved by the World Bank in June 2015 for reconstruction of the damaged public sector infrastructure and strengthening J&K’s disaster management mechanism.
The closing date of the Rs 1500 crore project was June 30, 2020, which has been extended to December 31, 2023. The project has faced multiple challenges, including COVID-19, which led to substantial implementation delays.
According to the World Bank, the project has shown remarkable progress over the last 2.5 years in improving the pace of public infrastructure construction, completing livelihood support activities, implementing CERC component activities to boost healthcare services for COVID response, and augmenting disaster preparedness capabilities One of the notable contributions of the project has been the installation and commissioning of 30 oxygen generation plants in rural areas of J&K which include areas like Gurez, Tangdar and Bani basoli. The project has committed 100% of the credit with signed contracts including the cost variations and funds earmarked for implementation support.
Out of 213 contract packages under the project, 159 (74 percent) have been completed till December 15, 2022. These includes completion of: 41 schools and higher education buildings, 10 road packages, one bridge, silk and wool factories and showroom with new machineries; procurement and deployment of: mobile pumps, search and rescue equipment; and trainings and technical support to handloom and handicrafts sector and artisans; and several technical studies and assessments.
SRINAGAR: Former Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, M M Khajuria passed away on Wednesday evening after brief illness.
M M Khajuria
Khajuria was the 2nd DGP of Jammu and Kashmir from 16-01-1985 to 25-05-1986.
According to reports, he is survived by three daughters, all settled.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Police J&K, Dilbag Singh, and all ranks of Jammu & Kashmir Police have condoled and expressed grief over the sad demise of M.M Khajuria DGP (Retd) .
In a statement, DGP has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and relatives of the deceased officer on behalf of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Pariwar and prayed for the departed soul.
The DGP J&K has said that the departed officer will be remembered for his services to the people and to the department.
SRINAGAR: A 15-year-old boy was found hanging at his house at Chandar, Dharmari in Reasi district on Wednesday following which police have started investigation into the matter.
Quoting officials while divulging the details with the news agency KNO identified the deceased as Azhar Ahmed (15), son of Bashir Ahmed of Chandar Dharmari in Tehsil Thuroo of Reasi.
The body, they said, was shifted to PHC Dharmari by police team of Arnas Police Station and investigation has also been set into motion.
SRINAGAR: School Education Department Wednesday said that a high level committe at University of Kashmir has categorically resolved that degrees acquired by the candidates in Science subjects via distance mode are neither eligible for appointment as lecturers at Plus-2 level nor for admissions to M.Phill or Ph.D programmes.
Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Alok Kumar said this in reference to the petitions filed by different respondents seeking inclusion in the seniority list of Environmental Science discipline and for promotion to the post of Lecturer Environmental Sciences.
Quoting department news agency KNO reported that, “It has been found that the claim of the petitioners does not merit consideration based upon the observations and findings and as such the claim of the petitioners for their inclusion in the seniority list of Environmental Science discipline and consequent claim for promotion to the post of Lecturer Environmental Sciences is hereby rejected.”
“Environmental Sciences falls within the category of Science Stream where practical are the part of curriculum and therefore such degrees are necessary to be obtained through regular mode only unless such courses are allowed specifically through Distance Mode by Distance Education Council (DEC) or All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE),” reads the judgement.
It also said that the issue regarding validity of degree acquired through distance mode was taken up with the University of Kashmir.
In reference to referral, the Department was conveyed that, “The University in this regard has categorically communicated the decision regarding the distance mode degree, it is resolved by the high level committee that candidates holding masters degree in science subjects awarded through the distance mode from other universities are neither eligible for appointment as lecturers in the Higher Education Department (Plus-2) level nor for admissions to the M.Phill or Ph. D programmes.”
Stating the reason as to why the degrees cannot be perused, KU has said, “The laboratory component which forms an indispensable part of the curriculum and requires a continuous guidance for the whole period of 4 semesters is not given its due importance in the distance mode learning.”
“Hence in light of the facts, it is clearly evident from the records and rules that the distance mode degree of PG in Ecology and Environment is neither recognized by the University nor equivalent to the corresponding PG Degree of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar,” it reads.
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board member, Sohail Kazmi, was on Wednesday booked for duping unemployed youth on pretext of government job.
As per information received, a case under FIR number 12/2023 under section 420 IPC has been registered against Sohail Qazmi at Police Station Peermitha, Jammu.
Quoting sources the news agency KNO reported that Dr K L Sharma filed a written complaint that Sohail Kazmi duped the unemployed youth of Rs 5 lakhs from the complainant in lieu of providing the fourth class job in government department in 2021.
“When the candidate was not selected then the complainant approached to Kazmi and requested to repay the amount of Rs 5 Lakh but the accused refused to repay the said amount.”
